The odds of you beating
the casino are 2 to 1 against
30 April 1999
By Mark Pilarski
Dear Mark,
Why has the term "odds" been so closely
associated with gambling? Terry K.
The laws of probability, Terry, on which odds
are based, are as highly respected a branch of
mathematics as geometry, trigonometry or
differential calculus. Odds are used in
business, science, military planning, mortality
rates and virtually all human
endeavors-including gambling.
Most gamblers don't realize it, but every time
they enter a casino the odds are 2 to 1 against
them no matter which game they play. First, you
go to war with the casino, which has an edge on
each and every bet, and second, we all must do
battle with the ultimate demon-ourselves.
There is your 2 to 1 against.
Dear Mark,
In blackjack, why is it that when the deck is
rich in aces and face cards it favors the
player? Gary C.
There are two reasons. First, blackjacks will
appear more often when there is a higher
proportion of aces in the deck, and as you know
blackjacks pay the player 3 to 2. Second, the
dealer will bust more when he has a "stiff" (12
through 16). The player, given the same
opportunity, would stand on stiffs, whereas the
dealer is forced by the rules of the game to hit
away and hopefully bust.
Dear Mark,
My friend believes that all roulette tables
operate on streaks and you should only wager on
numbers that have recently appeared. I believe,
and I am sure you will concur, that he is full
of it. I could use some help convincing my
friend. Steve B.
A streak is nothing more than a backward glimpse
at probability and should not be taken into
consideration in most, if not all, gaming
situations.
Roulette wheels, Steve, do not operate with
artificial intelligence nor do they have any way
of remembering which past numbers have hit. Each
spin is an independent event that is not
controlled by past spins.
Your friend's theory has zero merit.
Dear Mark,
Could you please explain how much the
progressive meter rises on both your average
slot and video poker machine? Jane B.
The rate at which the meter progresses upward is
based on a pre-set percentage of all the money
cycled through the machine. The meter rates will
vary from machine to machine, casino to casino.
If you are playing an individual progressive,
expect an advance rate of five to 10 percent of
the money played. Example: A dollar wagered, the
jackpot goes up 10¢. Machines that are tied
together, like a bank (carousel) or networked
slots like Megabucks or Quartermania, involve a
much lower progressive rate. In return, you are
provided a mega jackpot-a.k.a. big, big bucks.
On your typical video poker machine, the meters
rise on the average of between .25 and two
percent with one percent being the industry
average.
Dear Mark,
If I may, a quick history question. Who invented
the slot machine? Ted G.
The first mechanical slot machine, the Liberty
Bell, was invented in 1895 by Charles Fey, a San
Francisco mechanic. Fey's machine housed three
spinning reels, each decorated with diamonds,
spades, hearts and one cracked Liberty Bell per
reel. When the bells lined up, they produced
your biggest payoff: 10 nickels.
If you are ever in Reno, Ted, the original
Liberty Bell is on display at the Liberty Belle
Saloon & Restaurant, on 4250 S. Virginia.
Dear Mark,
The video poker card that comes with your Hooked
on Winning audio cassette series states that a
2-card royal (Ace, no 10) is a more powerful
hand than a 2-card royal (10, no Ace). Why is
that? Barney G.
A two card royal with an ace (jack of hearts,
ace of hearts) is a preferable hand because if
you draw an additional ace, you will get your
initial wager returned for the pair of aces.
Whereas if you were to draw a second 10, zilch
is your payoff.
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